Filling A Large Raised Bed

[DarceyK123]

Moved into this house a couple of months back.

There is a large raised bed measuring about 20ft x 4ft.
The previous owner had some shrubs there when we viewed but has taken them with her.

Im now left with filling this empty space so any suggestion on quick growing but hardy shrubs or similar, preferably with a lot of colour, I'm not that good in the garden but do like it to look pretty.

The previous house we had been in 25 years so the garden was well established, so dont know where to start, but dont want to wait another 25 years!

[Buenchico]

This might help:
https://www.lovethegarden.com/uk-en/article/which-shrubs-grow-raised-beds

[Maydup]

It sounds perfect for vegetables!

Wait another 6 weeks and then have a go with some easy ones like new potatoes, runner beans, and onions. Add a few marigolds and a strawberry plant to make it really pretty. Believe me it wont take much work and it''ll be so rewarding.

[Chipchopper]

Maybe some lavender to waft up as you brush by, plus the bees need all the help they can get!

[murraymints]

hebes...lots of varieties...dwarf rhodo /azalea.....pieris dwarf version.... skimmia.... or perhaps make it a rockery/alpine bed ?

[Atheist]

I think shrubs in a raised bed is a terrible waste of a real asset to a garden. Vegetables can be grown with minimal effort, not much bending, not much digging, easy to harvest, easy to weed. I wish I had one!
Why not give it a try?

[DarceyK123]

Yes, I'm liking the veg plot idea, many thanks.

[rowanwitch]

Most garden centres have veg seedlings late spring no point in buying lots of seeds you won't use.
This might help

https://www.growveg.co.uk/guides/planning-a-square-foot-vegetable-garden/

[Chipchopper]

maybe look into "companion planting" where you can grow veg and ornamentals that grow well together, could be a win, win.

[1ozzy]

I'd go edibles, with a tad of companion that looks nice.
Some flowers or leaves in a vase look and smell nice inside.
Fresh herbs, etc, taste nice.

Just make sure whatever you grow it's labour intensive

[Atheist]

If you're new to veg, you could try radishes (18 day or 18 jours are very quick-growing). Shallots are fun; you buy them as small bulbs and each grows into a clump of shallots. Onion sets are easy to grow. Tomatoes can be bought as small plants and are much better home-grown than the bought ones. Courgettes are easy to grow from seed (each plant will be 3 or 4 feet wide, so space them out.
Toms and courgettes don't like cold, so don't plant out until after risk of frost is over.

[DarceyK123]

Ooh, lots of ideas there, I've grown tomatoes before, yes, so much nicer than shop bought.

Thanks all.

[rowanwitch]

Look out for mini cucumbers too, la diva and mini munch grow outdoors and I would also find a home for cut and come again salad leaves and mizuna for stir fries